Saw Buddy

ABSTRACT

A folding mounting base is provided to convert a portable hand tool such as a portable band saw into a fixed tool which may be used on a workbench. The mounting base has upper and lower cradles, the upper cradle folding down next to the lower cradle for storage. In use, the handle of the portable tool in placed in the upper and lower cradles, and held in position by a toggle clamp. The toggle clamp engages the hand tool trigger to maintain the tool in an operating condition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates, in general, to a mounting base for converting a hand held tool to a fixed tool, and, in particular, to a foldable mounting base for converting a portable band saw to a fixed band saw.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

In the prior art various types of devices have been proposed.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,525 to Galloway discloses a cradle for supporting a band saw in a vertical position with a clamp for operating the trigger. A clamp and a trigger lock are used to secure the portable band saw to the cradle in the preferred embodiment. A second embodiment uses only the trigger lock to secure the band saw to the cradle. The cradle does not fold into a storage position.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,823,666 to Galloway discloses a cradle for supporting a band saw in a vertical position with a clamp for operating the trigger. A thumb screw and a trigger lock are used to secure the portable band saw to the cradle. The cradle does not fold into a storage position.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,961,550 to Oliver et al discloses a cradle for supporting a band saw in a vertical position. The band saw is clamped onto the cradle, and a trigger lock is provided.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,952,622 to Majus discloses a clamp device for mounting a portable band saw on a work shop type vice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a folding mounting base which is used to mount a portable band saw to a workbench.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved mounting base to which the band saw can be easily attached and removed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved mounting base which can be folded for easy and convenient storage when not in use.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be fully apparent from the following description, when taken in connection with the annexed drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the present invention showing all the parts.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention showing it in the in-use position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention showing it folded for storage.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described to best explain the invention so that others, skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, might utilize its teachings.

Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, FIG. 1 shows the individual components of the Saw Buddy. A rectangular base (1) is provided with two pivot holes (2) on opposing inside surfaces. An inner shaft (3) is inserted into a pivoting outer shaft (4) and then into the pivot holes (2). An upright support arm (5) is connected to the outer shaft (4). An upper cradle (6) is attached to the upright support arm (5) by two bolts (7). An end cap (8) is inserted into the open end of the upright support arm (5). The upper cradle (6) is provided with a tab (9) which retains a band saw handle (xx) in position. A stop block (10) is fastened to the base (1) near the inner shaft (3) to provide support for the upright support arm (5) when it is in use. A trigger lock support (11) is mounted to the base (1). The trigger lock support (11) is mounted above where the inner shaft (3) and stop block (10) are fastened to the base (1). A trigger lock (12) is fastened to the trigger lock support (11) by four bolts (13). The trigger lock is a commercially available toggle clamp such as the model CJ-350-HTC made by Carr-Lane Manufacturing Company. An end cap (14) is inserted into the open end of the trigger lock support (11). The lower cradle (15) is connected to the base (1). All components may be connected together by welding, nuts and bolts, or other suitable means.

FIG. 2 shows the assembled Saw Buddy with the handle (16) of a portable band saw in the installed position. The handle (16) is placed at an angle into the area of the retainer tab (9). The handle (16) is then rotated to a vertical orientation so it is trapped by the retainer tab (9). Then the handle is allowed to slide down to rest in the lower cradle (15). Once in position, the trigger lock (12) is closed to place pressure on the band saw trigger (17) maintaining the trigger (17) in an on position, and fixing the handle (16) onto the Saw Buddy. The power cord for the portable band saw may be plugged into a foot switch to provide safe operation of the band saw while mounted in the Saw Buddy.

FIG. 3 shows the Saw Buddy in the storage position. The upright support arm (5) and upper cradle (6) are rotated about the inner shaft (3) to a position in which the upper cradle (6) is resting on the lower cradle (15).

Although the Saw Buddy and the method of using the same according to the present invention has been described in the foregoing specification with considerable details, it is to be understood that modifications may be made to the invention which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims and modified forms of the present invention done by others skilled in the art to which the invention pertains will be considered infringements of this invention when those modified forms fall within the claimed scope of this invention. 

1. A mounting base for mounting a hand held tool having a handle to a workbench comprising a base, a pivot member pivotally mounted to the base, an upper cradle fixed to the pivot member, a lower cradle fixed to the base, a locking member fixed to the base, wherein the handle is placed in the upper and lower cradles, and held in place by the locking member.
 2. The mounting base as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a stop member fixed to the base, the stop member providing a rest for the upper cradle.
 3. The mounting base as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper cradle pivots down to a position next to the lower cradle to provide a storage configuration.
 4. The mounting base as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking member engages a trigger on the hand tool to maintain the hand tool in an operating condition.
 5. The mounting base as claimed in claim 1, the locking member comprising a toggle clamp.
 6. The mounting base as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a retainer tab on the upper cradle for holding the handle in position.
 7. The mounting base as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a support member mounted on the base, the locking member being mounted on the support member.
 8. The mounting base as claimed in claim 1, the pivot member comprising an inner shaft inserted into pivot holes in opposing sides of the base member, an outer shaft through which the inner shaft is inserted, and the outer shaft is fixed to the upper cradle.
 9. The mounting base as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a support arm fixed to the pivot member and the upper cradle.
 10. The mounting base as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a support arm fixed to the outer shaft and the upper cradle.
 11. The mounting base as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hand held tool is a portable band saw.
 12. A mounting base for mounting a hand held tool having a handle to a workbench comprising a base, an inner shaft which is inserted into pivot holes in opposing sides of the base member, an outer shaft through which the inner shaft is inserted, an upper cradle fixed to the outer shaft pivot member, a retainer tab on the upper cradle to hold the hand tool in position, a stop member is fixed to the base, the stop member providing a rest for the upper cradle, a lower cradle fixed to the base, a support member fixed to the base, a toggle clamp fixed to the support member, the toggle member engaging a trigger on the hand tool to maintain the hand tool in an operating condition, wherein the handle is placed in the upper and lower cradles, and held in place by the toggle clamp, and wherein the upper cradle pivots down to a position next to the lower cradle to provide a storage configuration.
 13. The mounting base as claimed in claim 12, wherein the hand held tool is a portable band saw.
 14. A method of converting a portable hand tool to a fixed bench tool comprising the steps of: a. placing a folding mounting base on a workbench, b. moving an upper cradle on the folding mounting base to an upright position, c. placing the handle of a hand tool into the upper cradle, d. moving the handle of the hand tool down into a lower cradle on the folding mounting base, e. positioning a toggle clamp on the folding mounting base over the trigger of the hand tool, f. engaging the toggle clamp to depress the trigger and hold the handle of the hand tool firmly on the folding mounting base.
 15. The method of converting a portable hand tool to a fixed bench tool as claimed in claim 14, wherein the hand tool is a portable band saw. 